How to Throw a Holiday Cookie Swap

A Holiday Cookie Exchange is the perfect idea for throwing a low key party with friends, even during a global pandemic! Here’s some great tips on how to do that and stay socially distant.

For a normal, non-Covid year, I consulted the Queen of Holiday Christmas Parties – seriously, she has hosted a holiday Christmas exchange for the past 16 YEARS! – and she had lots of great advice for throwing this kind of party.

Here is what I learned:

1. Plan your event during the week of Christmas so that guests have goodies for their family and friends during the holidays.
2. Create a Facebook Event to make it easier to invite friends and for them to RSVP.
3. Have everyone RSVP with which cookie they plan on bringing as well as an appetizer to enjoy at the party. Note: It’s first come first serve with types of cookies. If someone has already said they are bringing White Chocolate Peppermint, then you have to bring another type. This ensures that there will be more of a variety.
4. However many people RSVP to the party, that is how many dozen of your type cookie that you make. So if 9 people come to the party, you leave with 9 dozen different types of holiday treats. How fun is that?
5. Everyone brings their cookies wrapped with one dozen per package. Some place theirs in bags, some boxes, some on plates and some in tins. Whatever they decide. On their packages, they attach their recipe for their baked good inside.

Here are some of our personal favorite recipes to bring to a cookie exchange: (Hint: It doesn’t HAVE to be a cookie! You can bring bars, fudge, truffles, brownies! Be creative!

Aunt Bee’s Favorite Cookie Swap Recipes

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